City Administration

With more than 35 years of public service including 25 years leading cities in California and Arizona, Chris Zapata became Anaheim’s city manager in August 2018.

As city manager, Zapata is responsible for the daily operations of one of California’s largest cities with a $1.9 billion annual budget, 357,000 residents, 20,000 businesses and 25 million yearly visitors.

Zapata works directly with Anaheim’s mayor and City Council to implement their policy direction for the city.

He also oversees 11 city departments, including Anaheim Public Utilities, the Anaheim Police Department, Anaheim Fire & Rescue and Convention, Sports & Entertainment, operator of the Anaheim Convention Center.

Earlier in Zapata’s career, he served as city manager at San Leandro in the San Francisco Bay Area and at National City in San Diego County.

He also served as deputy city manager of Glendale, Ariz., home of the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals and the National Hockey League’s Phoenix Coyotes.

Zapata holds a bachelor’s in recreation leadership and a minor in business administration from Northern Arizona University.